EFCC denies releasing list of former governors under investigation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has distanced itself from reports suggesting it released a list of 58 former governors under investigation for embezzling N2.18 trillion.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the EFCC clarified that it had not released any such list and had not discussed the investigation of ex-governors with any media outlet.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described the circulating report titled ‘EFCC Releases Full List of 58 Ex-Governors that Embezzled N2.187 Trillion’ as a “false and mischievous” fabrication. The commission called the report “a phantom” and asserted that it does not support or acknowledge its authenticity.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, feels compelled to distance itself from a misleading report in certain media outlets that claims it has released a list of ex-governors being investigated for corruption,” Oyewale said.

“The report, titled ‘EFCC Releases Full List of 58 Ex-Governors that Embezzled N2.187 Trillion,’ is entirely false. The commission has neither issued such a list nor held discussions with any media outlet about these alleged investigations,” he added.

Oyewale urged the public to disregard the report and advised journalists to verify information directly with the EFCC to avoid spreading misinformation.

In a separate development, the EFCC indicated it would consider a new petition regarding an alleged N70 billion corruption case involving Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. Acting Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajuren, made this announcement while addressing a protest group at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday. The protesters, from the APC Akida Forum, were demanding that the EFCC reopen an ongoing investigation into the case.

On May 18, 2023, the EFCC, through its Director of Media and Publicity Affairs, Osita Nwajah, stated that the commission was probing alleged corruption, the awarding of fraudulent contracts, and the diversion of over N70 billion during Matawalle’s tenure as Zamfara State governor between 2019 and 2023.